CRAIG Gardner will today sign a new three-and-a-half-year Villa deal, keeping him at the club until June 2009.

CRAIG Gardner will today sign a new three-and-a-half-year Villa deal, keeping him at the club until June 2009.

The 19-year-old midfielder, who is set to make his first Premiership start against Newcastle on Saturday, has forced his way into manager David O'Leary's plans this season.

He made his senior bow as a second-half substitute in the 4-0 demolition of Everton on Boxing Day and also came off the bench in the derby victory at Albion.

Although those appearances amounted to just 11 minutes in total, Gardner has become almost a permanent fixture on the bench, being an unused sub on a further six occasions against Fulham, Arsenal, Hull, West Ham, Spurs and Middlesbrough.

Academy coach and Villa legend Gordon Cowans hailed the impact the Solihull-born playmaker has made this season.

Cowans is convinced Gardner has what it takes to emulate the likes of Steven Davis, Luke Moore and Liam Ridgewell.

He said: "Of all the kids who have come through the ranks here, he has one of the best attitudes. He gives everything he's got, whether it be in training or in a match.

"He's also a very gifted player and a good all-rounder, someone who goes box-to-box. He defends, gets forward and also scores goals. He's got two good feet, great vision and great passing ability. He's physically strong and seems to have everything you need to succeed in the game.

"Only time will tell, but we certainly have high hopes for him. The great thing about him too is that he won't get carried away by anything. He won't be a prima-donna."

Gardner, who should fill in for the suspended Gavin McCann and ineligible James Milner at the weekend, is delighted to cement his future with the club.

He said: "I've been training with the first team for quite a while now and I couldn't have dreamed at the start of 2005 that I'd be playing in the Premiership by Boxing Day."

Gardner broke his left metatarsal at the beginning of last season and added: "I did actually think my dream had ended. But I just kept on fighting and the gaffer believes in me. Hopefully I can push on now."